September 7, 2023

The Pastor's Pen:

“If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone.  If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.  Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” 

Matthew 18:15-20

In this week’s scripture lesson, Jesus speaks of three different pieces brought together: the dealing with errant church member, the binding of sins, and Jesus’ great promise of his presence. There is no doubt when two of more are gathered, sometimes it can be hard to for people to get along. Many of us would surely agree about harsh words spoken, especially at the beginning of the Covid pandemic with many of differing opinions of wearing of masks and vaccines, but it not only a deadly virus that can divide people or a church, but sin itself. 

Here, Jesus gives his disciples, and us, instructions of how one should proceed when another person sins against us, and also the consequence for the offender, if the offender refuses to listen. In today’s society it almost a moral sin to offend another person, but many in the church either ignore sinfulness of another believer, or act like its not happening?  Others say, “You can do whatever you want, as long as you don’t offend me.” But what if you’re offended?   Jesus doesn’t want one of his sheep to be lost, or does he? Of course not.  Join us Sunday as we delve further into this text and how it relates to us.

Pastor John

September Worship Greeters and Ushers:

Greeters: Diane Rape and Karen Love

Ushers: Mike Rape, Rock Love, Ricky Steele, and Tommy Middleton

Prayer Requests: In order to communicate your praises and concerns more efficiently, we offer the option of writing your requests. Our prayer request box will be placed in a convenient, visible location in the vestibule. Please print your praises and concerns, place them in the box and they will be given to Pastor John just prior to the beginning of worship service. Besides this option, there will still be an opportunity to express your requests during the service if you choose to do so.

You are invited to join us for our Grief Support Group. We will meet on Monday, September 11. Due to a conflict, Monday, September 25, the group will not meet. We will meet again in October.

Our Lay Leadership Committee (Nominations) is asked to meet this Sunday, September 10 following worship in the Sanctuary. . Members are Teresa Evans, Tammy Cooper, Susan Broughton, Courtney Broughton, Dennis Hall, Jeffrey Thomas, and Pastor John.

The Finance Committee is asked to meet this Sunday, September 10 at 6:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall.   Members are Jeffrey Thomas, Tommy Middleton, Keli Thomas, Rock Love, Dennis Hall, Missy Snipes, Janet Webster, Steve Moseley, Wanda Murphy, Beth Craig, Earl Hinson, and Sherrye Ingram. 

Charge Conference is scheduled for Sunday, October 1 at 3:00 pm. 

All women of all the church are invited to our United Women in Faith meeting on Tuesday, September 12 at 7:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Our guest speaker will be Rev. Sh’Kur Francis. Rev. Francis is the director for Promise Neighborhood which includes Clinton, Rucker, and Lancaster. We will be collecting hygiene items for the Promise Neighborhood: soap, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, feminine products, would all be appreciated. Please invite your friends and plan to be present. 

The Administrative Board is asked to meet on Sunday, September 17 at 6:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. 

Members are Tommy Middleton, Jeffrey Thomas, Keli Thomas, Rock Love, Dennis Hall, Missy Snipes, Janet Webster, Steve Moseley, Wanda Murphy, Hazel

Robinson, Libby Morris, Pastor John, Cierra Hartley, Elizabeth Moseley, Terry Robinson, Diane Rape,

Kristina Ray, and Beth Craig.

All men of all ages are invited to our United Methodist Men’s dinner and meeting on Thursday, September 21 at 6:30 pm in the TFLC. Spaghetti, salad, and garlic bread will be served. Join us!!

Our Church will be publishing a new pictorial directory! We want everyone to get a new picture made so that our new directory will be complete. IT WON’T BE COMPLETE WITHOUT YOU!

Photo dates are:

Monday, October 16 and Tuesday, October 17

You will have a professional photography session, see your proofs, and have the opportunity to purchase extra portraits for family and friends.

YOU CAN SIGN-UP ON OUR CHURCH’S WEBSITE, www.zionumc.com, or you can click on the Facebook link that was shared. Your participation will help the church and yourself. Every family photographed for the directory will receive a copy of the directory and an 8x10 portrait at no cost. So please, sign-up today!

Lancaster, we need your help!!! We have distributed well over 70,000lbs of food here in the last 2 months and our shelves reflect it. We seriously need a few items! Please share this with your friends and family members.

September Needs for Hope in Lancaster

· Peanut Butter

· 1 lb bag of dried beans

· 16 oz box of spaghetti pasta

· canned potatoes

· Canned Mixed Vegetables

· Canned Soup

· Canned Assorted Beans

· Canned Peas

· Boxed Mac N Cheese

· Canned Corn

· Boxed Oatmeal

· 24 oz bag of Grits

· Boxed Instant Potatoes

Red Items = Really Low Numbers

Please place your donations in the vestibule collection box and they will be taken to Hope weekly. 

Homecoming 2023 will be held on Sunday, September 17.   We will be welcoming Rev. Frank Lybrand back to bring the message on this special day. A church wide covered dish meal will follow worship in the life center. Everyone is invited to bring a well filled basket and drinks to share in the meal.

Would you like to participate in the music ministry of the church?

Our Chancel Choir is a volunteer group with a wide range of skills. Each Sunday, the choir not only provides special music, but they also lead the worship service in congregational hymn singing. Practice is on Sunday afternoon at 5:00 PM. Please consider joining!

· If you are a soloist, we can arrange for your performance as our Anthem or Introit for the worship service.

· If you plan an instrument (guitar, flute, keyboard, etc.) we would love to have you participate whether as a soloist or accompanist.

· If you know of someone outside our church, who could be a guest performer, we welcome suggestions for those who could share their gifts with Zion.

· Do you have a special song request for the service, the choir, or as an instrumentalist? Let us know and we will try to work it in.

Please contact Carolyn Massey, Choir Director, for more information.

To the Zion Church Family and the Family of Tony Neal, Thank you so much for the scholarship and the snack basket you gave to me! The scholarship will help me pay for my college expenses and the snack basket will really come in handy. Thank you also for all of your love and support. I appreciate your kindness!

Sincerely, Steve Duell

Special Gifts to Zion Church 

In Honor of:

The wonderful and caring members of Zion UMC by Ryan and Miriam Griffin

Allysa Waters by Marcene Plyler

My best friend, Wanda Faile, Love you! by Lib Preslar

Special Gifts to Epworth Children's Home

In Loving memory of Edward Everall on his birthday by Steve and Susan Duell

9/8: Joe East

9/9: Kayla Strait, Cameron Middleton

9/10: Todd Hall

9/11: Mr. and Mrs. Tony Broughton

9/12: Breanna Melvin

9/13: Carly Robinson, Dennis McAteer, Janice Bowers, Renee Plyler

9/16: Crystal McKenna, JoAnne Smith, Wade Adams, Mr. and Mrs. Scott Phillips, Mr. and Mrs. Eric Everall

The Record Speaks....

Present for 9/3 Sunday School: 45

Present for 9/3 Worship: 86

Needed each week for General Fund: $4,182

Received for General Fund: $4,831.32

Received for Building Fund: $10

Received for Epworth Children's Home: $120

There are many options available to give to the continuing ministry and outreach of Zion UMC. You may give through Paypal on the website www.zionumc.com, text your giving to 803-525-1834 and follow the secure link, or if you are not comfortable giving online, you may drop your offering in the mail to Zion UMC at 1665 Zion Road, Lancaster, SC 29720 or drop off in the secure drop box that is located beside the double doors where the buses are. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Missy at 803-804-2434 or leave a message at the church office, 803-285-3864 and your call will be returned. Thank you for your continued support of the Mission that is Zion!!

"...because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to."

Deuteronomy 15:10